Sunday Stretch: Vol. 9

Start off your week with a grounded take on Bible, prayer, the world, and your life ...

Thanks for joining in for Week 9 of the Sunday Stretch: where I’ll break down some weekly Bible passages, share prayer and prayer requests with you and for this community as well as the broader world.

For a moment I was excited thinking that, after back-to-back weeks of “special Sundays,” in my church, honoring Confirmation, Reformation, and All Saints - we would have a chance for a “normal” Sunday this week.

Of course, there is never any such thing as a “normal” Sunday. Each week comes with surprises, prayer requests, unexpected and unprecedented news in our local community and in the world.

This Sunday follows the 2022 midterm elections here in America, an election cycle that ended up having much to do with Christianity, as politicians, particularly in the GOP, went so far as to cast themselves as defenders of a “Christian nation” and their opponents as godless socialists and communists.

In the midst of a hectic news cycle, where it feels like much of the country is on edge, I think this week’s texts have a lot to say - and to remind us that Jesus is near, to our chaos and to our beloved community.

Image courtesy of Beacon Press

Bible Stories

Here are some weekly readings (from the Revised Common Lectionary), and some reflection thoughts/questions: